An Introduction to Sixth Form and Making Informed Choices
Phase one: Introduction to Sixth Form and exploring choices Friday 26th June: Sixth Form Experiential Day Year 10 will spend the morning taking part in taster lessons, which will allow them to experience the different styles of Sixth Form teaching. In the afternoon, they will be in Sixth Form House, meeting members of the Girls’ Leadership Group (GLG), take part in fun activities as well as getting to know some of our current Lower Sixth students. This should help them see how life in Sixth Form differs from their experiences of BGS so far and they will learn about the incredible range of opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom.
Autumn Term of Year 11 : Meet the Sixth Form Team Across the Autumn Term we host Year 11 Form Groups in Chequers Café to get to know key members of the Sixth Form team and some Sixth Form students in a more relaxed setting over refreshments. This is an opportunity to ask questions and find out more about day to day life in the Sixth Form.
Across the Autumn Term of Year 11: How to make decisions
In October, all Year 11 students will attend an assembly exploring what they should be considering when making the right course and subject choices. They will again have the opportunity to talk to Sixth Form staff and students. PSHE lessons and Tutor Time in Year 11 will be focused on how to make decisions, looking at the type of questions they should be considering when fine-tuning their options and how we can help support them in making choices that play to their strengths and aspirations.
The Role of The Bridge Careers Team
Supporting all of this activity will be our careers team in The Bridge who are always on hand to talk to your daughter about her longer-term careers’ aspirations, possible university courses, opportunities to study abroad, apprenticeships and relevant course requirements, so that we can help ensure Sixth Form choices pave the way to possible future plans. We are also happy to help arrange conversations with members of our Alumnae who may be studying courses or working in sectors that your daughter wishes to consider. This opportunity is something our Sixth Form students find invaluable as they progress throughout the Sixth Form.
Phase two: A Choice of Curriculum
Students are extremely fortunate to have a wider range of subjects and two routes of study (A Levels and IB Diploma Programme). We make sure there are plenty of opportunities to explore all of the options, to see how these marry up with your daughter's aspirations and sit alongside all of her other interests and passions.
September : Informal Subject Fayre
An informal subject fayre will be held in the Sixth Form hub, where students will have the chance to ask questions of current students studying each subject.
Sixth Form Course Booklet
Prior to half-term your daughter will be given access to the course booklets so they can start to consider their options, both for A Levels and IB Diploma Programme ahead of attending Sixth Form evening.
Thursday 5th November: Sixth Form Open Evening
This is an opportunity for you and your daughter to learn more about life in the Sixth Form, and how we help our students develop the skills to prepare them for the wider world. Heads of Departments and key subject staff and Sixth Form students will be on hand to answer questions and talk about their courses of study. You will visit the Sixth Form and enjoy refreshments with key members of the team in The Hub.
Monday 12th October - Friday 6th November: Taster Lessons
Students will have the opportunity to try both A Level and/or IB classes; this is a valuable experience to help them understand different approaches to teaching and learning and meet students currently studying those subjects.
Phase three: Refining Options
November: Meetings with the Senior Leadership Team
Our Headmistress, Mrs Gibson, or a member of the Senior Leadership Team, will meet with your daughter to have a conversation about their aspirations and options. This informal conversation is to help guide and advise the students as they refine their thinking.
Friday 4th December : Submitting Choices
We hope these experiences along with conversations at home will equip them to make their initial choices by Friday 4th December.